Cold Mountain Stole - Knitty, Summer 2009

model: Charlene Putney

photos: Jonathan Law

by Kieran Foley

This shawl is based on my first attempts at designing after reading Donna Druchunas’ inspirational Arctic Lace a couple of years ago.

I’ve called it Cold Mountain (a) to complement its American vintage look, and (b) to suggest that it might be of some use during an unexpected chill on your summer vacation in the great outdoors.

The Helen’s Lace yarn is a real pleasure to work with, and transforms a simple pattern of yarnovers into something special.

Summer contest!

Lorna's Laces is generously providing the yarn to make this shawl as the prize to one lucky Knitty reader!

Read the contest details and then make sure you're eligible to win!

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Length: 72 inches
Width: 26 inches

Note: Final measurements and gauge will vary depending on how the shawl is blocked. The shawl shown was blocked to maximize width, rather than length.

MATERIALS

Lorna’s Laces Helen’s Lace [50% Silk, 50% wool; 1250yd/1143m per 4oz/113g skein]; color: Pewter; 1 skein.

Recommended needle size:

1 set US #3/3.25mm needles

Yarn needle

GAUGE
18 sts/30 rows = 4 inches after blocking
See note for Finished Measurements above.

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts together, knitwise, as if to work a k2tog. Knit next st, then pass both slipped sts together over st just knit.

This forms a centered double decrease.

Size note:
If you wish to lengthen or shorten this shawl, there are two sections which should be worked more or fewer times: Rows 3-30 of Chart A, and Rows 47-74 of Chart C.

Be sure to work these sections the same number of times.

Blocking:
Information about blocking lace can be found here and here.

Charts:
The charts for this pattern are very large. Each fits on a letter-sized page. Click the chart name below and print the resulting page.

The Chart Key is in the materials section above.

Chart A • Chart B • Chart C

DIRECTIONS

Loosely CO 99 sts.
K 1 row. P 1 row.

Note: For all charts, pattern repeat (outlined in red) is worked three times in each row.

Chart A:
Work Rows 1-2 of Chart A once.

Work Rows 3-30 of Chart A six times.

Work Rows 31-74 of Chart A once.

Chart B:
Work Rows 1-28 of Chart B twice.

Work Rows 29-38 of Chart B once.

Work Rows 39-66 of Chart B twice.

Chart C:
Work Rows 1-46 of Chart C once.

Work Rows 47-74 of Chart C six times.

Next row [RS]: Knit all sts.

Loosely BO all sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block (see linked articles in Pattern Notes above).

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Currently going through a lace phase.

You'll find him here.